Myles Garrett expected to return for the Rams this weekend after 7-game injury absence

LOS ANGELES -- Myles Garrett is expected to return for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Washington after missing the past seven games with a knee injury.

Coach Sean McVay announced Garrett's likely availability, barring a late setback, on Friday before practice. The Rams (4-4) acquired Garrett in a trade with Cleveland over the summer, but the two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year has played in just one game for his new team.

"I'm just grateful that he's back and that he's feeling really good," McVay said.

Garrett hasn't played since the Rams' season opener, when he made no tackles in their blowout loss to the 49ers in Australia. Afterward, Garrett revealed he wasn't fully fit due to a knee injury that limited him throughout training camp.

Garrett underwent surgery after the Rams returned from Melbourne, and he was sidelined until he returned to practice this week. Those seven weeks were the longest injury absence of his 10-year NFL career.

"It was very difficult, (because) this is what I love to do," Garrett said. "I love being around my teammates, being able to help the whole group shine. Seeing them going out there and having fun, it's like I want to be there in those moments and share in their success. Not being able to do what I feel like I was put here to do, it hurt me for a while. But I've got a good team around me. I've got a great family. Blessed to be in a great place with great weather, so I'm happy to be back."

After months of anticipation, Rams fans should finally get to see Garrett playing alongside Aaron Donald against the Commanders. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Donald was tempted out of his 2 1/2-year retirement by the Rams' acquisition of Garrett, but he didn't make the trip to Australia while ramping up his fitness.

"I think offenses really have to pick their poison," Garrett said with a smile. "Who's going to be freed up on this play? And I think either of us are pretty good at winning one-on-ones, so we're going to have some fun."

Garrett said his knee injury didn't happen on a single event or play, but instead "cascaded" late in training camp before getting even worse in Melbourne.

"There were just some hitches in my gait," Garrett said. "There were just things I was dealing with mechanically that just only continued to evolve, or I guess worsen, as I played more throughout that game."

McVay acknowledged that the Rams will examine whether Garrett should have had his surgery earlier in the year, but they're busy looking forward to what they can do with Garrett and Donald leading the way.

"You always want to reflect back on what we would do differently," McVay said.

The Rams' pass rush hasn't been great in Garrett's absence. Although Los Angeles is pressuring quarterbacks at a reasonable clip, the team is tied for 26th in the league with just 12 sacks, leading to frustration.

"We keep attacking, but we're not finishing off all the plays," said edge rusher Byron Young, who leads the Rams with 4 1/2 sacks. "I think we've been getting good pressure, but not getting the quarterback down and finishing games ... Having MG back will help that for sure."

Terrance Ferguson also had been expected to return to the Rams' lineup against Washington after missing the past five games with an ankle sprain, but the second-year tight end was ruled out Friday afternoon after apparently injuring his hamstring during their final practice.

While Garrett likely returns to the defense's front line, the Rams' secondary is hurting.

Jaylen Watson is out for the season with a shoulder injury, and fellow starting cornerback Trent McDuffie missed the entire week of practice with a back injury. McDuffie is questionable for Sunday, as is starting safety Kam Curl, who has a foot injury.